Matthew 2:1–2 After Jesus was born, wise men came to Jerusalem from lands beyond the eastern horizon. “Where is the newborn king of the Jews?” they said. “We have seen the star signaling his birth and have come to worship him.”

King James

Matthew 2:1–2 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

Matthew 2:3–4 When King Herod heard about them, he and most of Jerusalem were mystified. He called a meeting of the chief priests and teachers of the Law and said, “Where is the Anointed One to be born?”

King James

Matthew 2:3–4 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.

Micah 5:2 But you, Bethlehem, are only a small village among the thousands of towns in Judah. Yet out of you will come one who will rule Israel, whose origin is from ancient times.

Matthew 2:5–6 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they said. “This is what the prophet Micah wrote: But you, Bethlehem, are only a small village among the people of Judah. Yet out of you will come one who will rule Israel, whose origin is from ancient times.

King James

Micah 5:2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

Matthew 2:5–6 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.

Matthew 2:7–8 Herod called a private meeting with the wise men to determine exactly when the star had first appeared. “Go to Bethlehem,” he told them, “and diligently search for the child. When you find him, come tell me where he is so I may also worship him.”

King James

Matthew 2:7–8 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.

Matthew 2:9–11 After receiving the king’s instructions, they knew where to go. On the way to Bethlehem, they were filled with joy as the star they had seen in the east appeared again and guided them to the place where the child was. They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary. After bowing in worship, they opened their treasure chests and presented gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

King James

Matthew 2:9–11 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

Matthew 2:13 After they had gone, an angel of God appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” the angel said. “Herod will search for the child to kill him. Flee to Egypt with the child and his mother, and stay there until I tell you to return.”

King James

Matthew 2:13 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.

Hosea 11:1 When Israel was a child, I loved him and called my son out of Egypt.

Matthew 2:14–15 While it was still night, Joseph got up, took the child and his mother, and left for Egypt. 15 This fulfilled Hosea’s prophecy: I called my son out of Egypt.

King James

Hosea 11:1 When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.

Matthew 2:14–15 When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.

Jeremiah 31:15 The Lord says, “A cry is heard in Ramah, mourning and wailing. Rachel weeps for her children and will not be comforted because they are gone.”

Matthew 2:16–18 Herod was furious when he realized the wise men had tricked him. He sent soldiers to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and areas nearby—all who were two years old and under—in keeping with the time he had learned from the wise men’s report. His brutality fulfilled what Jeremiah had prophesied: A cry is heard in Ramah, mourning and bitter weeping. Rachel weeps for her children and will not be comforted, because they are gone.

King James

Jeremiah 31:15 Thus saith the Lord; A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping; Rahel weeping for her children refused to be comforted for her children, because they were not.

Matthew 2:16–18 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.